Not Like the Others
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9
I’m a member of the Sesame Street generation. We didn’t grow up with multiple channels dedicated to children’s programming. We had Sesame Street and Saturday cartoons, and that was pretty much it. Several of the little songs they sang daily still come to mind fairly often for me. “One of these things is not like the other…” is a simple little song one that I hadn’t actually heard in years, but one that I sing in my head fairly often when it’s appropriate. The song was used to help children develop critical thinking skills, to understand and be able to communicate why something was different.
Naturally, as humans, we want to be like others. We want to fit into the group, be accepted and loved by others. Our relationship with Christ, however, calls us to step away from the crowd. We are meant to live a life of holiness and by that life, shine light upon the One who ‘called us out’, the One who has sealed us for eternity. Paul explained that thought in his letter to the Phillipians. He explained that our behavior is important, that we shouldn’t be known for our grumbling or complaining:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Phillipians 2:15
It isn’t the Christian’s job to condemn others or to stand in judgement. It’s our job to live lives that are so set apart, so obviously different, and so full of joy, that others want what we have. We’re to focus our thoughts on things above and all that Christ has given and shown us as we allow the Holy Spirit to aid us in our continual process of sanctification.
How can we, as Christians, live our lives in a way that will cause the world to wake up and take notice of us? Romans 12:2 is our first hint: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. It’s not always comfortable, goodness knows I don’t like what I see when I take a look at how I’m living my life sometimes, but doing a self-examination of our lives from a Biblical point of view can be very beneficial. It’s so easy to slowly justify behaviors, especially behaviors that we see in others. We don’t set out to live our lives in a worldly way, but ever so slowly, we allow ourselves to conform to those around us. Spending more time with our church family is a great way to start. Spending time in prayer and in the Word will open our eyes to the places we’re failing to live Godly lives.
Another way we can live a life that shows the world who we belong to is to concentrate on the hope we have. I love the way the ESV states this portion of 2 Corinthians 4: 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. We have a hope and joy that unregenerate man can not comprehend. While they focus on the trials of this world, we know that everything here is just a temporary situation and we have a home prepared for us that can not be taken or ruined.
Finally, and possibly the most important thing we can do is to take time to declare God’s greatness. We serve the God who created the universe, who built this beautiful intricate and fascinating world we live in, and who loves US enough to send His Son to make a way for us to be cleansed from our own failures and sins. The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky proclaims his handwork! (Ps 19:1b) We were created to worship Him! This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 40:31 Isn’t what our Lord has done for each of us enough to create a desire to tell others about Him? If my eternal salvation was the only thing I’d ever received from Him, that would be enough. But, He continually blesses me in such amazing ways. The more we learn about Him, the more we commune with Him, the more we just want to tell other people how great He is! He is worthy!
Imagine if we truly lived our lives with these thoughts at the forefront of our minds. If we didn’t allow ourselves to get caught up in the silliness, the sinfulness, or the monotony of daily life. If we truly focused on the joy we have in Him. We would be different. We would stand out. And, people would notice!
